Blue Devils to close out season

As Culpeper coach Greg Martz prepared last week for the Battlefield Bobcats, he couldn't help but be impressed with some of their intangibles.

He described them as well-disciplined with few superstars: just a collection of solid players who do their jobs and give their opponents very little to capitalize upon.

Uncharacteristically, Battlefield made its share of mistakes last week against Culpeper. Mistakes that should have led to Culpeper points, but didn't.

And when the Blue Devils left Battlefield High School following their 47-33 loss, they had to know that they  squandered some golden opportunities that could have changed the complexion of the game. 

Trailing 33-21 at the intermission and with Battlefield set to operate on offense in the second half, Culpeper needed a reversal of fortunes to get back into the game.

Battlefield attempted to oblige as its offense turned the ball over to Culpeper twice in the third quarter. Deep in Battlefield territory both times following Bobcat fumbles, Culpeper had perfect opportunities to generate some easy points.

But both times the offense was reduced to 32-yard field goal attempts. Both times the kicks were wide.

"We missed the chance to get the big mo," Martz said. "It was a great opportunity to get control of the game. Anytime your defense steps up to give you the ball back with a short field you have to take advantage of it."

A scoreless third quarter left the Blue Devils with just the fourth to come back. Unable to stop Battlefield's rushing attack, the Bobcats went on for the win.

Through nine games this season, the Blue Devils still have no answer to an opponent's rushing attack.

Battlefields' Adrian Ingram and Gerald Khosa scorched the Culpeper defense in the first and second halves, respectively.

"We didn't tackle well,"  Martz said. "Up front, Battlefield's players were a lot stronger and we did a poor job of tackling on the perimeter. There's no play you can call for missed tackles. We were as heavy in size as we could get and we had eight and nine players in the box."

Now 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Cedar Run District, Culpeper plays its final game of the season tonight when Stonewall Jackson comes to Broman Field for the Culpeper homecoming and Senior Recognition Night.

The Blue Devils have ten seniors who will suit up for their last high school game tonight.

They include Sidney Stuart (jersey No. 4), Joey Powell (10), Kyle Majors (11), Carter Mills (16), K.K. Pollard (21), Tony Caruso (58), Matt Berghuis (62), Joe Reser (76), Fahad Rashid (80) and David Butler (99).

Can this group of seniors finish their high school career on a winning note-

They have a good chance because if there's one team in the district that's been as down on its luck this season as much as the Blue Devils, it's the Raiders, who have played a majority of their games without the services of running backs Ryan Williams and Damien Thigpen.

Considered two of the best players in the state, their absence has shown up for the team in the wins and losses departments.
With Williams and Thigpen in the lineup, the Raiders quickly went 2-0. Beginning in week three the team began play without them and has gone 1-6 since . The Raiders are 0-6 in the district, including last week's loss to Osbourn, 36-14.

Raiders' head Coach Loren Johnson said that Williams, who ran for only 64 yards last week, "is healthy and ready to go," while Thigpen, who gained 49, is "doubtful and probably will not play."

On the season Johnson counted a total of 21 injuries to a host of players.

Some of those players have bounced back but the extent and number of injuries has certainly taken their toll.

"It's pretty significant," he said.

Disappointing-

"To say the least," he said.

Williams went down early on with a high-ankle sprain. The team has been only a shadow of what it would have been had Williams and Thigpen stayed healthy this season.

Martz isn't so certain that his team won't have to contend with Thigpen. Even without him, the Raiders showcase in Williams more than the Blue Devils can possibly handle on defense unless they tackle better tonight than they did last week.

Williams is rated as one of the top five players in the country.
The country.

"He's been our Achilles heel," Martz said. "He always gets healthy at the end of the year when we have to play them. He's an exceptional back and an exceptional person. He's definitely a threat to take it to the house on any play. He has great vision, is smart, and reads his blocks well."

There's no guesswork for what the Blue Devils have to do tonight.

"We have to stop the run,"  Martz said. "We have to. If they beat us throwing the ball then so be it. They will find ways to get Williams the football."

The return of linemen Kris Stewardson and Charles Nicholson will help.

Stewardson sat out last week and Nicholson was out with a shoulder injury.

Both are juniors and have next year.

For Culpeper's ten seniors, tonight's the night.

Quarterback Kyle Majors shows the kind of attitude that continues to earn him the praise from his coach.

When he went out early in the game against Liberty due to a poke in the eye, teammate Cody Whitlock came in and played well.

"Even when Kyle was out," Martz said, "he was leading from the sidelines. He has become a true captain for us. I'm going to really miss him."

"I think we'll put a lot of points on the board," Majors said. "I think our defense can play well and it'll be a great game."

A win tonight by Culpeper will give the team a better record than last year and some intangibles as well.

"Tonight's game is very important," said Martz. "It's a chance for our seniors to go out with something positive and for us to carry some momentum into next season."

Tonight's kickoff at Broman Field is set for 7:30.

Contact Mark O'Connell at